Shade Selection: Blending of Conventional and Digital Methods - An Updated Review

Major challenges in cosmetic dentistry are to accomplish appropriate and satisfactory reproduction of natural shade of teeth. The procedure of choosing a shade can be performed using visual method or by an instrument. The kind of shade guide, individual ability to choose shades and conditions the choice is made under, all have influence on reliability and accuracy of the procedure. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce instrumental color determination in everyday work. They include RGB devices, colorimeters, spectrophotometers. The impact of the color science can be seen on various restorative materials ranging from ceramics to maxillofacial prosthetic materials. Good communication between the dental team of all these details is paramount to a successful aesthetic result.